Effects of body condition at calving and feeding level after calving on LH profiles and the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period in beef cows

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
T. K. Whyte ◽  
A. J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Effect Of Feeding ◽  
Body Condition Scores

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to examine the effects of body condition at calving and feeding level post partum on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period in beef cows. Forty-seven cows were used in each of 2 years. Cows were fed differentially before calving to achieve two levels of body condition at calving in November and December and were then fed at one of two levels of feeding post partum in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. At calving, mean body condition scores were 2·85 (F) and 2·23 (T) (P < 0·001) while live weights were 521 kg and 457 kg (P < 0·001) for F and T cows respectively. After calving metabolizable energy intakes were 111 and 118 MJ/day (H) or 56 and 64 MJ/day (L) in years 1 and 2 respectively. The H cows maintained live weight during the first 61 days of lactation while the L cows lost live weight (0·0 v. -1·1 kg/day, P < 0·001). The number of cows still acyclic on 1 May each year was higher (P < 0·01) on the TL treatment (10/24) compared with the other treatment combinations (FH: 2/22; FL: 5/22; TH: 2/24). The effect of level of feeding on the duration of the anoestrous period was significant in the T cows (89 v. 116 days for TH and TL cows respectively; P < 0·01) but not in the F cows (80 v.89 days for the FH and FL cows respectively; P > 0·05). At 3 weeks post partum LH pulse frequency was higher in F than in T cows and tended to be higher in H than in L cows. At 6 and 9 weeks post partum LH pulse frequency was higher in H than L cows. LH pulse amplitude was higher in F than T cows at 3 weeks post partum and tended to be higher at 6 weeks post partum. It is concluded that both body condition at calving and feeding level after calving influence the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period with the effect of feeding level being particularly pronounced in thin cows.

Effects of body condition, food intake and temporary calf separation on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations in beef cows

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
T. K. Whyte ◽  
Alison J. McBean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Condition Score

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to examine factors affecting the length of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated effects on LH, FSH and prolactin. Forty-six cows (24 Hereford × Friesian and 22 Blue-Grey) ranging in body condition score at calving from 1·50 to 2·75 were used. They were individually fed chopped barley straw and concentrate at either 50 (low) or 91 (high) MJ metabolizable energy per day from calving. At 34 days post partum half the cows were separated from their calves for 48 h. The duration of the post-partum anoestrous period was estimated from progesterone concentrations in thrice weekly blood samples. Blood samples were collected every 20 min for 10 h periods immediately prior to calf separation, during the last 10 h of calf separation and 1 week later. All samples were analysed for LH, and every third sample was analysed for FSH and prolactin.There were no significant effects of genotype, feeding level or calf separation on the length of the post-partum anoestrous period. There was a negative association between body condition score at calving and the length of the anoestrous period, with each unit increase in body condition score reducing the anoestrous period by 43 (s.e. 20) days. There was some evidence that feeding level affected the number of thin cows (body condition score ≤2·25 at calving) which were still acyclic at the end of the experiment, but not the number of fat cows (body condition score ≥2·5 at calving).FSH levels were not affected by any of the factors examined. Prolactin concentrations were higher in fatter cows, in cows on the higher level of feeding and in Blue-Grey cows. Prolactin concentrations decreased during the period of calf separation. Genotype and feeding level had no effect on LH concentration or LH pulse frequency. LH pulse frequency was increased (P < 0·05) during the period of calf separation, but there was no effect 1 week later. There was a significant positive relationship between LH puise frequency and body condition score at calving in two of the three sampling periods.It is suggested that the effect of body condition on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period i s mediated through effects on LH pulse frequency.

scholarly journals Effect of feeding level and diet type on the performance of crossbred suckler cows and their calves

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MANNINEN ◽  
I. ARONEN ◽  
H. HUHTA
Keyword(s):  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Daily Intakes ◽  
Factorial Design Experiment ◽  
Effect Of Feeding ◽  
Diet Type

A 2 ×2 factorial design experiment with 32 spring-calving Hereford-Ayrshire and 31 Limousine-Ayrshire suckler cows was conducted to compare the effects of diets based on hay (H)or urea-treated straw (US)at two feeding levels (moderatekg/day from day 30 to 0 pre partum Post partum cows received 3.0 kg/day of the same mixture. All cows were in calf to Charolais sires. During the mating period, cows were inseminated after oestrus synchronisation and subsequently exposed to a bull. Average daily intakes of the cows were on treatment MH 9.1 kg DM/day and 77.4 MJ metabolizable energy (ME), on treatment MUS 8.5 kg DM and 67.2 MJ ME,on treatment LH 6.9 kg DM and 58.9 MJ ME and on treatment LUS 6.7 kg DM and 53.7 MJ ME, respectively. Live weight gain (LWG) during the indoor feeding was lower (P

Circulating concentrations of LH and FSH and pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in intact and ovariectomized suckled beef cows in two levels of body condition

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
T. K. Whyte ◽  
A. J. Smith ◽  
S. R. McMillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Physiological Dose

ABSTRACTThe effect of body condition on hypothalamic and pituitary function in post-partum suckled beef cows was studied. Thirty-eight Blue-Grey cows were calved at a body condition score of either 2·35 (L) or 2·80 (H), fed to maintain live weight and body condition thereafter and ovariectomized at either 5 or 9 weeks post partum. The H cows had higher LH pulse frequencies before ovariectomy (0·36 v. 0·28 pulses per h; P < 0·05) and 15 days after ovariectomy (0·86 v. 0·72 pulses per h; P < 0·01), indicating a direct effect of body condition on GnRH release from the hypothalamus. Body condition had no effect on the ability of the pituitary to release LH in response to a physiological dose (2·5 u.g) of GnRH in entire or ovariectomized cows at 5 or 9 weeks post partum. The magnitude of the increase in circulating levels of LH following GnRH injection was greater at 9 weeks compared with 5 weeks post partum (2·23 v. 1·73 u.g/1; P < 0·001) in entire cows, but there was no difference between 5 and 9 weeks in ovariectomized cows. Following ovariectomy there was a 2·5-fold increase in LH pulse frequency within 15 days and LH pulse frequency approached 1 pulse per h in all treatments groups. It is concluded that both the hypothalamus and the pituitary are capable of functioning normally by 5 weeks post partum in suckled beef cows, that the pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus is inhibited, possibly due to a very high sensitivity to oestradiol, and that the sensitivity of the pituitary to the negative feedback effect of oestradiol may decrease with time post partum.

Ovarian follicular populations, steroidogenic capacity and physiological status in post-partum suckling beef cows in high and low body condition

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 149-149
Author(s):  
R. Prado ◽  
S.M. Rhind ◽  
I.A. Wright ◽  
A.J.F. Russel ◽  
S.M. McMillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Weight Maintenance ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Maintenance Ration

Recent evidence indicates that body condition at calving has an important effect on the length of the post-partum anoestrous period in beef cows being longer in cows calving in low body condition (Richards et al, 1986, Wright et al, 1987). It is known that body condition affects baseline concentrations of LH (Rutter and Randel, 1984) and LH pulse frequency (Wright et al, 1987). However, the effect of body condition on ovarian follicles has not been studied.An experiment was designed to examine the effect of body condition score (BCS) at calving on follicle populations, follicular steroidogenic capacity, follicular histology and patterns of gonadotropin release at two different stages of the post-partum period (5 and 9 weeks after calving) in suckling beef cows.Thirty-eight suckling Blue-Grey cows with a mean live-weight of 567 ± 9.4 kg and mean BCS of 3.0 ± 0.05 at 110 days before calving to a synchronized insemination were differentially fed so that they achieved BCS of 2.83 ± 0.05 and 2.30 ± 0.05 for cows on a high (H) and low (L) plane of nutrition, respectively. After calving cows were fed a live-weight maintenance ration according to individual requirements. Cows of each BCS were ovariectomized at either 5 (w5) or 9 (w9) weeks after calving and follicles > 3mm in diameter were dissected from the ovaries and incubated for 2 h in culture medium (Medium 199) at 37°C. Follicles were then kept in Bouin's solution until histological examination. Follicle incubates were assayed for progesterone, testosterone and oestradiol. Blood samples were taken 2 days before ovariectomy for 10 h every 15 minutes and were later assayed for LH (all the samples) and FSH (every third sample).

Ovarian follicle populations, steroidogenicity and micromorphology at 5 and 9 weeks post partum in beef cows in two levels of body condition

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Prado ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
S. R. McMillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lh Pulsatility ◽  
Body Condition Scores

ABSTRACTThe effect of body condition at calving on ovarian follicle characteristics during post-partum anoestrus was studied in 38 suckling Blue-Grey cows with mean body-condition scores of 2·80 (s.e. 0·05) (H) or 2·35 (s.e. 0·05) (L) at calving and fed so that they maintained live weight and body condition during lactation. Cows of each level of body condition were ovariectomized at either 5 or 9 weeks after calving and follicles ≥3 mm in diameter were dissected out and incubated in a medium (Medium 199) for 2 h. Follicle incubates were assayed for progesterone, testosterone and oestradiol. L cows had fewer follicles ≥3 mm in diameter than H cows (24·1 v. 44·9; P < 0·05) at 5 weeks post partum due to a lower number of small (3 to 4 mm) follicles (12·9 v. 30·6; P < 0·05). At 9 weeks there was no effect of body condition on mean numbers of follicles (38·1 v. 40·4; P > 0·05). The proportions of healthy, intermediate and atretic follicles in all cows were 0·35, 0·20 and 0·45 respectively; these proportions were not affected by body condition or time of ovariectomy. Body condition did not affect the overall mean capacity of the cultured follicles to produce oestradiol or progesterone in vitro but testosterone production was higher in follicles from H than L cows (6406 v. 5206 pg/h; P < 0·05). However, at 9 weeks post partum a greater proportion of H than L cows had a large (>8 mm), healthy, highly oestrogenic follicle (4/8 v. 1/7; P = 0·18).At 9 weeks post partum, the four large, healthy, oestrogen-active follicles (those secreting >250 pg/h) from H cows were approximately 11-fold more oestrogenic than the single comparable follicle from L cows (7100 v. 635 pg/h; P > 0·05). There was little difference at week 5 post partum: 3288 and 2785 pg/h (P > 0·05) for H and L cows respectively. Oestrogen-active follicles from H cows were significantly more oestrogenic at 9 than 5 weeks post partum (5807 v. 3021 pg/h; P < 0·05). The results suggest that the body condition-related reduction in the number and steroidogenic capacity of large oestrogenic follicles in post-partum cows may be associated with a reduction in LH pulsatility.

A note on the effects of pattern of food intake and body condition on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and LH profiles in beef cows

1992 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
T. K. Whyte
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Peripheral Circulation ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Feeding Regimes

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of level and pattern of food intake in post-partum beef cows on the length of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated luteinizing hormone profiles. Forty-six multiparous cows were allocated at calving to one of three feeding regimes: 55 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day throughout (LL), 145 M] ME per day throughout (HH), or 55 M] ME per day until 6 weeks post partum and then 145 M] ME per day thereafter (LH). The duration of the post-partum anoestrous period was assessed from plasma progesterone profiles. Luteinizing hormone profiles in the peripheral circulation were determined at weeks 3, 6, 8 and 11 post partum from samples collected every 20 min for 10 h.Feeding regime had no effect on either the length of the post-partum anoestrous period, being 99, 89 and 91 (s.e.d. 12·2) days for the LL, LH and HH cows respectively, or on any aspect of luteinizing hormone pulsatility. Body condition at calving was negatively correlated with the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period, each unit increase in body condition at calving being associated with a decrease in the post-partum anoestrous period of 86 (s.e. 21·8) days. Luteinizing hormone pulse frequency at 6 weeks post partum was positively correlated with body condition at calving.This experiment confirms the importance of body condition at calving in influencing the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and indicates that level and pattern of feeding post partum has little effect when cows calve at a body condition of approximately 2·25.

The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows and their calves

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
P. J. Broadbent ◽  
J. S. M. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Trial Period ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Milk ◽  
Body Condition Scores

AbstractChanges in live weight, body condition, milk production and composition were monitored for single- and twinsuckling cows in two experiments. In experiment 1, all cows were managed for 3 months before calving to achieve condition scores at calving 2·1 (low) and 3·1 (moderate). Subsequently, these animals were placed on a fixed level of energy intake (80 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day) for 16 weeks. Post-partum diets contained differing amounts of digestible undegradable protein (DUP), but similar amounts of effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP). In experiment 2, single- and twin-suckling cows were fed to achieve a condition score at calving of around 2·75. These animals were subsequently placed on two levels of energy intake (80 MJ and 130 MJ ME per day) during the first 16 weeks of lactation. The diets providing these energy intakes also contained differing amounts of DUP. Neither the level of DUP in the diet nor the level of feeding significantly altered the digestibility of the dry matter or organic matter in the dry matter of the experimental diets.Body condition at calving had little effect on daily milk yield (9·5 kg) and composition (33·5 g/kg fat; 30-0 g/kg protein) in experiment 1. Cows with higher body condition scores at calving lost 13·5 kg more live weight and 0·26 units more body condition (P < 0·05) during the 1st month post partum but remained in better condition throughout the trial period than cows with lower body condition scores. Cows on 130 MJ ME per day produced higher (P < 0·001) daily yields of milk, milk fat and protein (+2·0 kg; +151 g; +85 g) and lost 57 kg less live weight and 0·52 units less body condition (P < 0·001) than cows on 80 MJ ME per day. Elevated dietary levels of DUP promoted (P < 0·05) daily milk yields (by 1·25 kg) and reduced live-weight and body condition-score loss during the 1st month post partum in both experiments. Twin-suckling cows produced the highest average daily yields of milk throughout the 16-week trial period in both experiments but yields were not significantly higher after early lactation in experiment 1. Cow body condition score at calving and the level of DUP in the post-partum diet of cows had no effect on the post-partum performance of calves. Twin calves had slower growth rates (P < 0·001) than single calves (0·65 and 1·07 kg/day respectively) in experiment 1. However, twin calves sucking cows on 130 MJ ME per day in experiment 2 grew similarly to single sucking calves from week 8 of lactation (0·8 kg/day).

Resumption of oestrous and ovarian cyclicity during the post-partum period in autumn-lambing ewes is not influenced by age or dietary protein content

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Mitchell ◽  
M. E. King ◽  
F. E. Gebbie ◽  
M. J. Ranilla ◽  
J. J. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Post Partum Period ◽  
Ovarian Cyclicity ◽  
Effect Of Age ◽  
Ovarian Cycles ◽  
Body Condition Scores

AbstractThe objective was to determine the effect of age and dietary protein content on post-partum oestrous and ovarian cyclicity in autumn-lambing ewes. Twenty-four multiparous (age 4·5 (s.e. 0·61) years) and 24 primiparous (age 1·5 years) ewes which lambed on 28 October (s.e. 0·2) and were rearing 2·0 and. 1·7 (s.e. 0·13) lambs, respectively, were equally allocated to two dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Diets comprised a d libitum hay supplemented with concentrate (12·5 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter (DM) and either 210 or 140 g crude protein per kg DM), offered at a daily allowance of 1·2 kg per ewe from lambing to weaning (18 December) and 0·4 kg per ewe thereafter. Throughout the study (3 November to 24 May) ewes were group-housed in straw-bedded pens under natural photoperiod at 57°N and their live weights and body condition scores were assessed at 2-week intervals. A raddled vasectomized ram was continually present with each group and ewes marked by the ram were recorded thrice weekly. Blood samples were obtained thrice weekly for measurement of peripheral progesterone concentrations and ovulation rate was determined by laparoscopy during January and March. There was no significant effect of dietary protein content on any of the variables measured. For multiparous and primiparous ewes, mean live weights and body condition scores at lambing were 79·5 (s.e. 1·41) v. 58·4 (s.e. 1·54) kg (P < 0·001) and 2·5 (s.e. 0·05) v. 2·2 (s.e. 0·05) (P < 0·001) and daily live-weight losses over the suckling period were 153 (s.e. 19·3) v. 85 (s.e. 21·1) glday (P < 0·05). Intervals from parturition to first overt oestrus were 39 (s.e. 3·2) v. 33 (s.e. 2·3) days and to the onset of ovarian cyclicity were 29 (s.e. 4·9) v. 25 (s.e. 1·5) days. Durations of ovarian cyclicity were 133 (s.e. 27·1) and 110 (s.e. 5·7) days (P < 0·01) during which 7·6 (s.e. 0·32) and 6·5 (s.e. 0·34) (P < 0·05) ovarian cycles were recorded respectively. Fifteen ewes had initial short cycles (≤10 days), six had prolonged cycles (≥21 days) and 11 had extended inter-luteal phase intervals (≥8 days). All ewes had recent ovulations at the January laparoscopy but only 19 multiparous and nine primiparous ewes had ovulations in March. Mean ovulation rates were: January 2·2 (s.e. 0·14) and 1·4 (s.e. 0·13) (P < 0·001), and March 1·6 (s.e. 0·23) and 1·2 (s.e. 0·15) for multiparous and primiparous ewes, respectively. It is concluded that, for ewes lambing at their normal time of mating, (i) the strong seasonal drive for reproduction results in the resumption of oestrous and ovarian cyclicity during the early post-partum period; (ii) initial luteal phases may be of short or extended duration; (Hi) there is no effect of age or dietary protein content, within the range studied, on the onset of ovarian cyclicity; and (iv) multiparous ewes experience a greater number of ovarian cycles and achieve higher ovulation rates than primiparous ewes.

The effect of plane of nutrition in early lactation on the performance of beef cows

1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. Lowman ◽  
R. A. Edwards ◽  
S. H. Somerville ◽  
G. M. Jolly
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Digestible Crude Protein

ABSTRACTTwenty-one mature autumn-calving Blue Grey cows were divided into three groups for a 3-year change-over experiment, and each group was allocated to one of three planes of nutrition for the first 150 days of lactation during each year. Milk yields were recorded by machine milking twice daily. The three planes of nutrition corresponded to 1·63, 1·21 and 0·89 of the cow's maintenance allowance 12 h post partum. Increasing the plane of nutrition significantly (P<0·05) increased 150-day cumulative milk yield, but had no significant effect on milk composition. The extent of live-weight loss decreased significantly (P<0·001) as plane of nutrition increased and was reflected in cows maintaining better condition, measured as condition score, through the experimental period.The small 150-day cumulative milk yield response (32·8 kg per additional 10 MJ metabolizable energy and 62 g digestible crude protein/day) demonstrated the limitation of feeding beef cows for increased milk production in comparison with feeding the calf directly. However, the possible relationship between plane of nutrition, live-weight loss and fertility suggests an important limitation of under-feeding cows during the mating period. Within the constraints imposed, the medium treatment (64 MJ metabolizable energy and 516 g digestible crude protein/day) resulted in levels of cow performance similar to those currently recorded in commercial units. One of the major constraints in the present investigation was the high level of body reserves available in the cows at the start of lactation.

The effect of nutrition during early life on voluntary food intake by lambs between weaning and 2 years of age

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sibbald ◽  
G. C. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Grazed Swards ◽  
Body Condition Scores

AbstractTwo experiments were carried out with Scottish Blackface lambs to investigate the effects of restricted nutrition during pregnancy and lactation on voluntary food intakes (VFI) between weaning and 2 years of age. Ewes were given diets providing 0·7 (LP) or 10 (HP) of their estimated metabolizable energy requirements during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy and subsequently grazed swards with mean sward surface heights of approximately 3 cm (LL) or 6 cm (HL) during lactation. All lambs were weaned at 17 weeks of age. In experiment 1, four treatment combinations (LP-LL, LP-HL, HP-LL and HP-HL) were applied and female lambs were studied. In experiment 2, two treatment combinations (LP-LL and HP-HL) were applied and male lambs were studied. In both experiments the lambs received a common level of nutrition between weaning and 2 years of age.In both experiments, mean live weights were proportionately 0·2 higher for HP-HL than for LP-LL lambs at weaning (P < 0·001) and in experiment 2 mean live weights and body condition scores were still higher in HP-HL than in LP-LL lambs at 2 years of age (P < 0·05). Abomasum weights were higher in HP than in LP lambs at birth and higher in HP-HL than in LP-LL lambs at weaning in experiment 1 and the weights of the rumen and dimensions of the rumen villi were greater in HP-HL than in LP-LL lambs at weaning in both experiments (P < 0·05). The treatments had no effect on lipid content or mean adipocyte diameter in the main fat depots at birth or weaning. There were no treatment effects on VFI in either experiment. It was concluded that restricted nutrition during late pregnancy and early lactation does not affect VFI between weaning and 2 years of age in sheep, even though there are differences in live weight and the development of the gastrointestinal tract at weaning and there may be long-term effects on live weight and body condition, particularly in male animals.

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